Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday confirmed that 19-21 people have lost their lives due to snowstorm in Murree and other northern areas.

According to police, among the victims, four were friends and were visiting Murree from Mardan. They died of cold while spending the night in their car due to huge traffic jam.

Local administration has launched operation to rescue the stranded tourists; however, teams are facing difficulties due disruption in mobile service and electricity supply.

On the other hand, administration of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has closed the roads going to Murree and Galiyat due to large number of vehicles entering the hill station owing to heaving snowfall.